Implant tools for extravascular implantation of medical leads

ABSTRACT

Methods for creating a pathway for an implantable defibrillation lead within a patient, the patient having a torso with a center, left side, and a high sternal area. The method comprises creating an incision at a first location on the left side of the torso, advancing a first medical device and a second medical device through the incision and through the subcutaneous tissue toward a second location proximate the center of the torso, deflecting a distal end of the first medical device at the second location toward a third location proximate the high sternal area, advancing a distal portion of the second medical device out through the distal end of the first medical device toward the third location, and positioning a sheath within the torso, the sheath spanning a distance between the first location and the second location and a distance between the second location and the third location.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No. 14/163,413, filed Jan. 24, 2014.

FIELD

The present application relates to a method and system for extravascular implantation of a medical lead.

BACKGROUND

Malignant tachyarrhythmia, for example, atrial or ventricular fibrillation, is an uncoordinated contraction of the cardiac muscle of the ventricles in the heart, and is the most commonly identified arrhythmia in cardiac arrest patients. If this arrhythmia continues for more than a few seconds, it may result in cardiogenic shock and cessation of effective blood circulation. As a consequence, sudden cardiac death (SCD) may result in a matter of minutes.

In patients at high risk of ventricular fibrillation, the use of an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) system has been shown to be beneficial at preventing SCD. An ICD system includes an ICD, which is a small battery powered electrical shock device, may include an electrical housing, or can electrode, that is coupled to one or more electrical lead wires placed within the heart. If an arrhythmia is sensed, the ICD may send a pulse via the electrical lead wires to shock the heart and restore its normal rhythm. Owing to the inherent surgical risks in attaching and replacing electrical leads directly within or on the heart, methods have been devised to achieve a similar effect to that of a transvenous ICD system connected directly to heart without placing electrical lead wires within the heart or attaching electrical wires directly to the heart.

Subcutaneous implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (SubQ ICD) systems have been devised to deliver electrical impulses to the heart by the use of a defibrillation lead placed subcutaneously on the torso. In order to effectively electrically stimulate the heart, the distal end of the defibrillation lead may be oriented longitudinally spanning from approximately the xiphoid to the high sternal area. However current methods of positioning the defibrillation lead in the proper position often include making as many as three incision points on the patient's torso, which increases the risk of infection, complexity of the procedure, surgical duration, and cost. In particular, current methods of implanting a subcutaneous lead include making an incision at the patient's left torso, xiphoid, and higher sternal area. Accordingly, it is desirable to reduce the number of incisions to reduce the rate of infection, complexity, the invasiveness of the procedure, and cost.

SUMMARY

The present invention advantageously provides a method and system for creating a pathway for insertion of a medical lead, such as a defibrillation lead, the method includes creating an incision at a first location on the left side of the torso of the patient. A first medical device and a second medical device are advanced through the incision and through the subcutaneous tissue toward a second location proximate the center of the torso. The distal end of the first medical device is deflected at the second location toward a third location proximate the high sternal area. The second medical device is advanced out through the distal end of the first medical device toward the third location. A sheath is positioned within the torso, the sheath spanning the distance between the first location and the second location and the distance between the second location and the third location.

In another embodiment, the system includes a first medical device having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen there through, the distal end of the first medical device being deflectable. A second medical device is slideably receivable within the lumen of the first medical device, the second medical device having a proximal portion, a distal portion, and a major axis. The distal portion of the second medical device is slideable out through the distal end of the first medical device, the distal end of the second medical device extending longitudinally at an angle substantially orthogonal to the major axis when the distal end of the first medical device is deflected and the distal portion of the second medical device is slid out through the distal end of the first medical device.

In yet another embodiment, the method includes creating an incision at a first location on the left side of the torso of the patient. A first medical device and a second medical device are advanced through the incision and through the subcutaneous tissue toward a second location proximate the center of the torso. The distal end of the first medical device is deflected at the second location toward a third location proximate the high sternal area. The distal portion of the second medical device is advanced out through the distal end of the first medical device toward the third location, the distal portion of the second medical device having a plurality of electrodes. When the distal end of the first medical device is deflected the distal portion of the of the second medical device bends to an angle of approximately 90 degrees with respect to the proximal portion of the second medical device. The first medical device defines a first length and the second medical device defines a second length, and wherein the second length is longer than the first length. A sheath is positioned within the torso, the sheath spanning the distance between the first location and the second location and the distance between the second location and the third location. The defibrillation lead is advanced through the sheath and positioning the defibrillation lead between the second location and the third location. A subcutaneous pocket is created proximate the incision, the pocket sized to retain an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator having a can electrode. The proximal end of the defibrillation lead is electrically connected to the can electrode.

In one embodiment, there is a method of creating a pathway for an implantable defibrillation lead within a patient where the patient having a torso, the torso having a center, a left side, and a high sternal area. The method comprises creating an incision at a first location on the left side of the torso of the patient; advancing a first medical device and a second medical device through the incision and through the subcutaneous tissue toward a second location proximate the center of the torso; deflecting a distal end of the first medical device at the second location toward a third location proximate the high sternal area; advancing a distal portion of the second medical device out through the distal end of the first medical device toward the third location; and positioning a sheath within the torso, the sheath spanning a distance between the first location and the second location and a distance between the second location and the third location.

In one aspect of this embodiment, the first medical device defines a lumen, and wherein the second medical device is advanced within the lumen of the first medical device.

In one aspect of this embodiment, the distal portion of the second medical device includes a plurality of electrodes, and wherein the method further including advancing the defibrillation lead through the sheath and positioning the distal portion of the defibrillation lead between the second location and the third location.

In one aspect of this embodiment, the first medical device defines a first length and the second medical device defines a second length, and wherein the second length is longer than the first length.

In one aspect of this embodiment, the second medical device defines a proximal portion, a distal portion, and a major axis there between, and wherein the distal portion of the second medical device bends to angle approximately orthogonal to the major axis when the second medical device is advanced out through the first medical device.

In one aspect of this embodiment, the method further includes splitting the sheath along its length and withdrawing the sheath from the torso out through the incision.

In one aspect of this embodiment, the method further includes creating a subcutaneous pocket proximate the incision, the pocket sized to retain an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator that includes a can electrode; and electrically connecting the proximal end of the defibrillation lead to the can electrode.

In one aspect of this embodiment, the distal end of the first medical device includes a plurality of laser cuts configured to facilitate the deflecting of the distal end of the first medical device.

In one aspect of this embodiment, the first medical device includes an actuator, and wherein actuation of the actuator deflects the distal end of the first medical device.

In one aspect of this embodiment, the distal portion of the second medical device is laser cut, and wherein a force exerted on the distal portion of the second medical device by the distal end of the first medical device bends the distal portion of the of the second medical device to an angle of approximately 90 degrees with respect to a proximal portion of the second medical device.

In one aspect of this embodiment, the distal portion of the second medical device defines a substantially rigid column when advanced out through the distal end of the first medical device.

In one embodiment, there is a method of creating a pathway for an implantable defibrillation lead within a patient, the patient having a torso, the torso having a center, a left side, a right side, and a high sternal area. The method comprises creating an incision at a first location on at least one from the group consisting of the left side and the right side of the torso of the patient; positioning a sheath over a first medical device; advancing the first medical device and a second medical device through the incision and through the subcutaneous tissue toward a second location proximate the center of the torso; deflecting a distal end of the first medical device at the second location toward a third location proximate the high sternal area; advancing a distal portion of the second medical device out through the distal end of the first medical device toward the third location, the second medical device defining a substantially rigid column when advanced out through the distal end of the first medical device; and positioning a sheath within the torso, the sheath spanning a distance between the first location and the second location and a distance between the second location and the third location.

In one aspect of this embodiment, the first medical device defines a lumen and where the second medical device is advanced within the lumen of the first medical device.

In one aspect of this embodiment, the sheath is positioned over the first medical device before advancing the first medical device and the second medical device through the incision and through the subcutaneous tissue.

In one aspect of this embodiment, the first location is on the left side of the torso at the fifth or sixth rib proximate the armpit and the second location is proximate the xiphoid.

In one aspect of this embodiment, the first medical device includes a rotatable actuator and rotation of the actuator deflects the distal end of the first medical device.

In one aspect of this embodiment, the distal end of the first medical device includes a plurality of laser cuts configured to facilitate the deflecting of the distal end of the first medical device.

In one aspect of this embodiment, the sheath is advanced manually from the incision and passed the second location to the third location.

In one aspect of this embodiment, prior to advancing the first medical device and the second medical device through the incision, the sheath is positioned between the first medical device and the second medical device.

In one embodiment, there is a method of creating a pathway for an implantable defibrillation electrical lead within a patient, the patient having a torso, the torso having a center, a left side, and a high sternal area. The method comprises: creating an incision at a first location on the left side of the torso of the patient; advancing a first medical device and a second medical device through the incision and through the subcutaneous tissue toward a second location proximate the center of the torso; deflecting a distal end of the first medical device at the second location toward a third location proximate the high sternal area; advancing a distal portion of the second medical device out through the distal end of the first medical device toward the third location, the distal portion of the second medical device having a plurality of electrodes, when the distal end of the first medical device is deflected the distal portion of the of the second medical device bends to an angle of approximately 90 degrees with respect to a proximal portion of the second medical device; the first medical device defines a first length and the second medical device defines a second length, and wherein the second length is longer than the first length; positioning a sheath within the torso, the sheath spanning a distance between the first location and the second location and a distance between the second location and the third location; removing the first medical device and the second medical device while leaving the sheath spanning the distance between the first location and the second location and the distance between the second location and the third location; advancing the defibrillation lead through the sheath and positioning the distal portion of the defibrillation lead between the second location and the third location; creating a subcutaneous pocket proximate the incision, the pocket sized to retain an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator having a can electrode; and electrically connecting the proximal end of the defibrillation lead to the can electrode.

The details of one or more aspects of the disclosure are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, objects, and advantages of the techniques described in this disclosure will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete understanding of the present application, and the attendant advantages and features thereof, will be more readily understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first medical device constructed in accordance with the principles of the present application;

FIG. 2 is a side cross-sectional view of the first medical device shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side cross-sectional view of a second medical device constructed in accordance with the principles of the present application;

FIG. 4 is a side cross-sectional view of a sheath constructed in accordance with the principles of the present application;

FIG. 5 is a side cross-sectional view of the second medical device shown in FIG. 3 disposed within the first medical device shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a front view of the first medical device and the second medical device shown in FIG. 5 proximate an incision at a first location of a human torso;

FIG. 7 is a front view of the first medical device and the second medical device shown in FIG. 6 advanced with the human torso to a second location proximate the xiphoid;

FIG. 8 is a front view of the first medical device and the second medical device shown in FIG. 7 with the distal end of the first medical device deflected in the direction of a third location;

FIG. 9 is a front view of the first medical device and the second medical device shown in FIG. 8 with the second medical device advanced toward the third location proximate the higher sternal area;

FIG. 10 is a front view of the sheath shown in FIG. 4 advanced over the first medical device and the second medical device shown in FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a front view of a SubQ ICD system implanted in the pathway created by the first medical device and the second medical device shown in FIG. 9; and

FIG. 12 is a flow diagram illustration a method of creating a pathway for insertion of a medical lead.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Now referring to the drawings in which like reference designators refer to like elements, there is shown in a medical system 10 for creating a pathway within a patient for extravascular implantation of a medical lead, such as a defibrillation lead. Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, the system 10 may include a first medical device 12 sized to be received within an animal or human patient. The first medical device 12 may be a medical catheter, or other similarly sized device, that may be advanced through the subcutaneous tissue of a patient's torso or through the vasculature.

The first medical device 12 may include a proximal end 14, a distal end 16, and a lumen 18 there through. The first medical device 12 may include a handle 20 coupled to the proximal end 14 and an actuator 22 mechanical coupled to a pull wire or other actuation element 24 (seen in FIG. 2) configured deflect the distal end 16 of the medical device 12. For example, the actuator 22 may be a rotatable collar included on the handle 20. When the rotatable collar is rotated in a predetermined direction, the actuation element 24, for example, a pull wire, may pull on the distal end 16 of the medical device 12 causing it to deflect in a desired direction. In an exemplary configuration, the pull wire may be positioned on one side of the first medical device 12 to facilitate deflection of the distal end 16 in the direction of that side. The actuator 22 may be realized using mechanisms other than the rotatable collar, such as mechanically actuated triggers, levers, or other mechanisms known in the art. Likewise, the actuation element 24 may be realized using other mechanisms well known in the art.

In an exemplary configuration, the distal end 16 of the first medical device 12 is deflectable to any number of configurations including up to angles of 90 degrees or greater with respect to a major axis “x” defined by the first medical device 12. The distal end 16 may further define any shape when deflected, for example, linear, curvilinear, or helical. The distal end 16 of the medical device 12 may define a first plurality of slits 26, for example, laser cut slits, to facilitate the deflection of the distal end 16. Any number of slits 26 may be disposed on the distal end 16 of the first medical device 12 sufficient to facilitate the deflection of the distal end 16. In particular, the slits 26 may be disposed along the entirety, or substantially the entirety, of the deflectable portion of the distal end 16. The slits 26 may be disposed around a portion of the circumference of the first medical device 12, or in a helical pattern, or alternatively, on a single side of the distal end 16 such that the distal end 16 deflects in a single direction. The slits 26 may be defined such that they extend medially along the exterior of the first medical device 12 in a circumferential or helical geometry, from opposite sides of the medical device 12, while leaving a center portion of the first medical device 12 uncut, which may facilitate the deflection of the first medical device 12 more than one direction. Indicia may be included on the handle 20 to indicate the extent and direction of the deflection of the distal end 16. In other configurations not including the slits 26, the first medical device 12 may be composed of a flexible shape memory material, for example, a nickel titanium alloy, that enables the distal end 16 of the first medical device 12 to bend and retain its shape.

Referring now to FIG. 3, slideably receivable within the lumen 18 is a second medical device 28. The second medical device 28 may be sized to slide into the proximal end 14 and out the distal end 16 of the first medical device 12. In particular, the diameter of the lumen 18 may be larger than the diameter of the exterior of the second medical device 28 to enable to second medical device 28 to be slideably inserted within the lumen 18. The first medical device 12 may define a first length 30, and the second medical device 28 may define a second length 32, the second length 32 may be longer than the first length 30 such that the second medical device 32 may extend beyond the distal end 16 of the first medical device. Alternatively, the first length 30 and the second length 32 may the same or the first length 30 may be longer than the second length 32.

The second medical device 28 may be a tunnel creating tool, such as an obturator, a stiff coil structure configured to withstand compressive loading, or a hypotube, configured to dissect or otherwise tunnel through the subcutaneous tissue of the patient's torso. For example, the second medical device 28 may be configured with a sharp edge around at least a portion of its exterior and may define a substantially U-Shaped or V-shaped cross-section to facilitate the ability of the second medical device 28 to tunnel through a portion of the subcutaneous tissue of the patient's torso. The second medical device 28 may have a proximal portion 34 and a distal portion 36 that span the second length 32. The proximal portion 34 may be coupled to a second handle 38 and the distal end of distal portion 36 may define a beveled edge to facilitate the tunneling through subcutaneous tissue. Alternatively, the distal end of the distal portion 36 may include a blunt tip to facilitate atraumatic dissection of tissue as it is advanced through the subcutaneous tissue. In other configurations, the second medical device 28 may be an electrosurgical tool configured to ablate subcutaneous tissue while minimizing bleeding. For example, the distal end 16 of the distal portion 36 may include a conductive element (not shown) configured to freeze or burn tissue as it is advanced. In this configuration, the conductive element may be ultrasonically powered to facilitate movement of the distal end 16 through adipose tissue.

The distal portion 36 of the second medical device 28 may define a second plurality of slits 40 spanning at least substantially the entirety of the distal portion 36. The second plurality of slits 40 may be laser or mechanically cut into the distal portion 36, which may span from approximately the mid-point of the second length 32, or any from any location, be in the same of similar manner to that of the slits 26 to provide flexibility to the distal portion 36. In an exemplary configuration, as discussed in more detail below, the distal portion 36 may be forced or otherwise deflected to define a substantially rigid column. For example, the second medical device 28 may define a major axis “x′.” When a force is applied to the second medical device 28 in a direction “y′” substantially orthogonal to the major axis x′, the distal portion 36 may align in a position at least substantially orthogonal to the major axis x′ as deflected by the first medical device 12. The second plurality of slits 40 may be included along the distal portion 36 and arranged in such a manner that facilitates the bending of the distal portion 36 to define the substantially rigid longitudinal column when the distal portion 36 is slid out the distal end 16 of the first medical device 12. For example, the slits 40 may be defined in the distal portion 26 such that axial compression on the distal portion 26 does not cause the distal portion to deflect.

The slits 40 may further be arranged such that the second distal portion 36 may dissect subcutaneous tissue in a longitudinal direction substantially parallel with the direction y′ while bending or otherwise swinging from an orientation substantially parallel to the major axis x′ to an orientation substantially orthogonal to the major axis x′. In particular, the distal portion 36 may be sufficiently sharp to slice through the subcutaneous tissue of the torso while extending superiorly toward the higher sternal area without being deflected or otherwise dislodged by the subcutaneous tissue.

Referring now to FIG. 4, a sheath 42 may be included with the system 10 slideably disposable about the first medical device 12 and the second medical device 28. The sheath 42 may be any sterile device known in the art that facilitates the advancement and removal of medical devices from the patient. In an exemplary configuration, the sheath 42 is kink resistant and may be splittable/slittable along its major axis. For example, the sheath 42 may include a long score 44 along its major axis allows the sheath to be torn or otherwise peeled off when being removed from the torso of the patient while leaving an inserted medical device or instrument in place.

Referring now to FIGS. 5-7, in an exemplary use of the system 10, a surgeon may make an incision 46 on the left or right side of the patient's torso. In an exemplary method, the surgeon makes the incision 46 on the left side of the torso at a first location 48 at approximately the fifth or sixth rib proximate the armpit. The first medical device 12 and the second medical device 28 may then be inserted at the first location 48 (FIG. 6) and advanced toward the center of the torso to a second location 50 proximate the xiphoid (FIG. 7). The second medical device 28 may protrude a distance away from the distal end 16 of the first medical device 12 as the first medical device 12 and the second medical device 28 are advanced substantially simultaneously toward the second location 50 to facilitate the tunneling through the subcutaneous tissue.

Alternatively, the second medical device 28 may be advanced first from the first location 48 to the second location 50 followed sequentially by the first medical device 12. The first medical device 12 and the second medical device 28 may be advanced at least substantially parallel to the major axes x and x′ along the patients torso toward the second location 50. Alternatively, the first medical device 12 and the second medical device 28 may create any pathway, in any direction, from the first location 48 to the second location 50 depending on the position of the first location 48.

Referring now to FIG. 8, when the first medical device 12 and the second medical device 28 are positioned proximate the second location 48, the actuator 22 may be rotated or otherwise actuated to deflect the distal end 16 of the first medical device 12 toward a third location 52, proximate the high sternal area. To facilitate the proper angle of deflection of the distal 16 end to advance the second medical device 28 toward the third location 52, the actuator 22, and associated actuation element 24, may be configured with a maximum deflection radius. For example, a complete rotation of the actuator may result in the distal end 16 bending to an angle of approximately 90 degrees with respect to the major axis x. Optionally, the actuator 22 may include suitable indicia, (for example, 10 degrees, 20 degrees, etc., or an indication of direction, for example, upward, downward, inward, etc.) to provide the surgeon with the precise angle of deflection of the distal end 16 to enable to the surgeon to create a non-orthogonal pathway to the third location 52.

In an exemplary configuration, the distal end of the distal portion 36 may be substantially co-terminus with the distal end 16 of the first medical device 12 proximate the second location 50. The distal end 16 of the first medical device 12 may then be slid past the distal end of the distal portion 36 and, sequentially or simultaneously, deflected in the direction of the third location 52. In particular, the distal end 16 may be deflected in a direction substantially orthogonal to the major axes x and x′. Alternatively, the distal portion 36 may be advanced farther than the distal end 16 of the first medical device 12 (as shown in FIG. 7) as the first medical device 12 and the second medical device 28 are advanced toward the second location 50. In this configuration, the distal portion 36 may extend a distance away from the distal end 16. When the distal end 16 of the first medical device 12 is deflected, the distal portion 36 is pulled along with the distal end 16 to a position substantially orthogonal to the axes x and x′. As the distal portion 36 is pulled by the distal end 16 it may dissect subcutaneous tissue.

Referring now to FIG. 9, the distal portion 36 of the second medical device 28 may be advanced in a longitudinal direction, or along any pathway, from the second location 50 to the third location 52. Owing to the slits 40, the distal portion 36 may be substantially rigid as it is advanced from the second location 50 to the third location 52. That is, as the distal portion 36 is slid out the distal end 16 it forms a substantially longitudinal and rigid column that dissects subcutaneous tissue as it is advanced toward the third location 52. The third location 52 may be proximate the first or second rib in the upper sternum area such that the distal portion 36 of the second medical device 28 lies substantially perpendicular to the sternum underneath the skin and offset to the left of the sternum. In other configurations, the second medical device 28 may lie offset to the right of the sternum or directly over the sternum.

Referring now to FIG. 10, the sheath 42 may be disposed over the first medical device 12 and the second medical device 28 when the distal portion 36 of the second medical device 28 is advanced proximate the third location 52. The sheath 42 may be advanced manually by the surgeon through, for example, and introducer device, from the first incision 46 and passed the second location 50 and to the third location 52. Alternatively, the sheath may be positioned between the first medical device 12 and the second medical device 28 prior to insertion of the first medical device 12 within the patient, or the sheath may be positioned over the first medical device 12 prior to insertion of the first medical device 12 within the patient. Because the distal portion 36 is biased in a substantially rigid configuration when advanced out the distal end 16 from the second location 50 to the third location 52, when the sheath 42 is disposed over the distal portion 36 it does not cause the distal portion to dislodge or move from its position. In an exemplary configuration, the sheath 42 may extend from the first location 48 to the third location 52 and defining substantially a right angle at the second location 50.

Referring now to FIG. 11, when the sheath 42 is positioned from the first location 48 to the third location 52 as substantially shown in FIG. 10, the first medical device 12 and the second medical device 28 may be withdrawn from the patient by, for example, the surgeon manually pull on the proximal end 14 of the first medical device 12. After withdrawal of the first medical device 12 and the second medical device 28, a defibrillation lead 54 may be inserted within the sheath 42 extending from the first location 48 to the third location 52. When the surgeon has positioned the defibrillation lead 54 in the desired location, the sheath 42 may be removed from the patient by, for example, splitting the sheath along the long score 44 to separate the sheath 42 from the defibrillation lead 54. The defibrillation lead 54 may include a first electrode 56, a second electrode 58, and a third electrode 50 disposed there between. In an exemplary configuration, the first electrode 56, the second electrode 58, and the third electrode 60 may independently and/or cooperatively transmit electrical energy to heart in response to a sensed arrhythmia or other electrical malady in the heart sensed by one of more the electrodes 56, 58, and 60. The defibrillation lead 54 may further be electrically connected a housing 62 by one or more wires (not shown). The housing 62 may include an electrode, for example, a can electrode, and may further include a controller with processor and a therapy circuit (not shown) configured to measure and record electrical signals from the heart and to transmit electrical energy to the defibrillation lead 54. In an exemplary configuration, the housing 62 may be received within a pocket formed by the first incision 46. The connection between the defibrillation lead 54 and the housing 62 may operate to anchor the defibrillation lead 54 to its location superjacent the sternum.

Referring now to FIG. 12, in an exemplary method of implanting a defibrillation in accordance with the principles described above, the method includes creating an incision 46 at a first location 48 on the left side of the torso of the patient (S100). It is further contemplated that the first location 46 may be on the right side of the torso of the patient depending on the particular anatomy of the patient. A first medical device 12 and a second medical device 28 are advanced through the incision and through the subcutaneous tissue toward a second location 50 proximate the center of the torso (S102). As discussed, any pathway may be tunneled from the first location 48 to the second location 50. The distal end 16 of the first medical device 12 is deflected at the second location 50 toward a third location 50 proximate the high sternal area. (S104). The second medical device 28 is advanced out through the distal end 16 of the first medical device 12 toward the third location 52 (S106). As discussed above, the second medical device 28 is configured to withstand bending in a radial direction when an axial force is applied on the distal end of the distal portion 26 such that the distal portion defines a substantially rigid column when advanced toward the third location 52. A sheath 42 is positioned within the torso, the sheath 42 spans the distance between the first location 48 and the second location 50 and the distance between the second location 50 and the third location 52 (S108). The sheath 24 may be positioned over the first medical device 12 prior to insertion of the second medical device 28 within the patient, between the first medical device 12 and the second medical device 28.

It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the present application is not limited to what has been particularly shown and described herein above. The example embodiments described above are described in the context of a subcutaneous ICD system for purpose of illustration. However, the implant tools and techniques may also be utilized with other extravascular implanted ICD systems, such as an ICD system in which at least a portion of the lead of the implanted system is placed substernal. For example, in the exemplary use of the system 10 described in FIGS. 5-7, at the location near the xiphoid, the distal portion 36 of the second medical device 28 may be advanced in a longitudinal direction, or along any pathway, from the second location 50 to a third location underneath or below the sternum. Additionally, the tools and implant techniques of this disclosure may also be utilized with other implantable systems having implanted leads or catheters, such as implantable pacing systems, implantable neurostimulation systems, and drug delivery systems.

In addition, unless mention was made above to the contrary, it should be noted that all of the accompanying drawings are not to scale. A variety of modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention, which is limited only by the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of creating a pathway for an implantable defibrillation lead within a patient, the patient having a torso, the torso having a center, a left side, and a high sternal area, the method comprising: creating an incision at a first location on the left side of the torso of the patient; advancing a first medical device and a second medical device through the incision and through the subcutaneous tissue toward a second location proximate the center of the torso; deflecting a distal end of the first medical device at the second location toward a third location proximate the high sternal area; advancing a distal portion of the second medical device out through the distal end of the first medical device toward the third location; and positioning a sheath within the torso, the sheath spanning a distance between the first location and the second location and a distance between the second location and the third location.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first medical device defines a lumen, and wherein the second medical device is advanced within the lumen of the first medical device.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the distal portion of the second medical device includes a plurality of electrodes, and wherein the method further including advancing the defibrillation lead through the sheath and positioning the distal portion of the defibrillation lead between the second location and the third location.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the first medical device defines a first length and the second medical device defines a second length, and wherein the second length is longer than the first length.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the second medical device defines a proximal portion, a distal portion, and a major axis there between, and wherein the distal portion of the second medical device bends to angle approximately orthogonal to the major axis when the second medical device is advanced out through the first medical device.
 6. The method of claim 3, further including splitting the sheath along its length and withdrawing the sheath from the torso out through the incision.
 7. The method of claim 3, further including: creating a subcutaneous pocket proximate the incision, the pocket sized to retain an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator that includes a can electrode; and electrically connecting the proximal end of the defibrillation lead to the can electrode.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the distal end of the first medical device includes a plurality of laser cuts configured to facilitate the deflecting of the distal end of the first medical device.
 9. The method of claim 8, wherein the first medical device includes an actuator, and wherein actuation of the actuator deflects the distal end of the first medical device.
 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the distal portion of the second medical device is laser cut, and wherein a force exerted on the distal portion of the second medical device by the distal end of the first medical device bends the distal portion of the of the second medical device to an angle of approximately 90 degrees with respect to a proximal portion of the second medical device.
 11. The method of claim 1, wherein the distal portion of the second medical device defines a substantially rigid column when advanced out through the distal end of the first medical device.
 12. A method of creating a pathway for an implantable defibrillation lead within a patient, the patient having a torso, the torso having a center, a left side, a right side, and a high sternal area, the method comprising: creating an incision at a first location on at least one from the group consisting of the left side and the right side of the torso of the patient; positioning a sheath over a first medical device; advancing the first medical device and a second medical device through the incision and through the subcutaneous tissue toward a second location proximate the center of the torso; deflecting a distal end of the first medical device at the second location toward a third location proximate the high sternal area; advancing a distal portion of the second medical device out through the distal end of the first medical device toward the third location, the second medical device defining a substantially rigid column when advanced out through the distal end of the first medical device; and positioning a sheath within the torso, the sheath spanning a distance between the first location and the second location and a distance between the second location and the third location.
 13. The method of claim 12, wherein the first medical device defines a lumen and where the second medical device is advanced within the lumen of the first medical device.
 14. The method of claim 12, wherein the sheath is positioned over the first medical device before advancing the first medical device and the second medical device through the incision and through the subcutaneous tissue.
 15. The method of claim 12, wherein the first location is on the left side of the torso at the fifth or sixth rib proximate the armpit and the second location is proximate the xiphoid.
 16. The method of claim 13, wherein the first medical device includes a rotatable actuator and rotation of the actuator deflects the distal end of the first medical device.
 17. The method of claim 16, wherein the distal end of the first medical device includes a plurality of laser cuts configured to facilitate the deflecting of the distal end of the first medical device.
 18. The method of claim 13, wherein the sheath is advanced manually from the incision and passed the second location to the third location.
 19. The method of claim 13, wherein prior to advancing the first medical device and the second medical device through the incision, the sheath is positioned between the first medical device and the second medical device.
 20. A method of creating a pathway for an implantable defibrillation electrical lead within a patient, the patient having a torso, the torso having a center, a left side, and a high sternal area, the method comprising: creating an incision at a first location on the left side of the torso of the patient; advancing a first medical device and a second medical device through the incision and through the subcutaneous tissue toward a second location proximate the center of the torso; deflecting a distal end of the first medical device at the second location toward a third location proximate the high sternal area; advancing a distal portion of the second medical device out through the distal end of the first medical device toward the third location, the distal portion of the second medical device having a plurality of electrodes, when the distal end of the first medical device is deflected the distal portion of the of the second medical device bends to an angle of approximately 90 degrees with respect to a proximal portion of the second medical device; the first medical device defines a first length and the second medical device defines a second length, and wherein the second length is longer than the first length; positioning a sheath within the torso, the sheath spanning a distance between the first location and the second location and a distance between the second location and the third location; removing the first medical device and the second medical device while leaving the sheath spanning the distance between the first location and the second location and the distance between the second location and the third location; advancing the defibrillation lead through the sheath and positioning the distal portion of the defibrillation lead between the second location and the third location; creating a subcutaneous pocket proximate the incision, the pocket sized to retain an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator having a can electrode; and electrically connecting the proximal end of the defibrillation lead to the can electrode. 